Udupi: Seven Held After Police Raid on Homestay, MDMA, Ganja Seized

Udupi: Seven persons, including the owner of a homestay, were arrested in Thottam, about 7 km from Udupi, after Malpe police raided the premises and seized narcotic substances, including MDMA and ganja, police said on Friday.

The raid was carried out on June 18 at a Homestay following a tip-off that drugs were being stored and consumed at the premises. During the operation, police found four people inside a room. On examination, they found that the four had allegedly consumed narcotic substances.

A search conducted in the presence of witnesses led to the seizure of 33.81 grams of ganja valued at about Rs 3,000, 9.73 grams of MDMA worth around Rs 20,000, five mobile phones, and other articles.

Police said that despite earlier notices issued by the Malpe police and the Tourism Department directing that the homestay be operated only with authorisation, the establishment continued to operate illegally.

It is also alleged that the owner and an employee of the homestay facilitated the consumption of narcotic substances on the premises.

Those arrested have been identified as FM Nazil (31), Mohammed Azaruddin (42), Mohammed Afnan (19), Vighnesh (35), Basavaraj (36), Dhanvath Rikit (36), and Geetanjali (44).

A case has been registered at Malpe police station under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act. Investigation is in progress.